Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after a person experiences a traumatizing event. The emotional effects of PTSD are linked to depression, anxiety, and fear, and these effects can make it hard for a person to cope with their trauma. Additionally, medical researchers have found that PTSD can also change the brain in the following ways:
A study found dimpling in the amygdala and hippocampus in the right hemisphere of the brain in people with severe forms of PTSD. The amygdala contributes to the creation of emotional memories and manages fear, while the hippocampus helps people navigate spaces and creates new memories.
PTSD can also decrease the function of the prefrontal cortex, which helps control the fear response produced by the amygdala. These effects prevent the prefrontal cortex from adequately managing the brain’s fear response, which can lead to intense episodes of worry and anxiety.
The brain’s reward centre processes experiences that are deemed pleasurable or enjoyable. A study found that PTSD can reduce this activity in some, as well as decrease dopamine output. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in memories, movement, sleep, arousal, mood, learning, and many other functions.
Many people with PTSD benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy, which can help change patterns of problematic thinking. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is also beneficial for undoing the damage caused by past trauma. EMDR, which is a relatively new form of therapy, involves discussing traumatic memories while performing certain eye movements. Other treatment options include:
It is not clear whether the changes caused by PTSD are permanent, but certain therapies and treatments can help people with this mental health disorder lead full and happy lives.